audioxtc's Profile - Reviews

Chained Soldier was one of the best series I've seen in awhile. It doesn't do anything better than any other series in particular, however the combination of elements really come together for an enthralling watch. First and foremost, this is an ecchi show and it doesn't pretend to be anything but that. With that said, it has a surprising amount of depth to it, whether it be in terms of relationship building, story progression, character development, or world building. I was honestly surprised how well the events of the story were conveyed.

For a brief synopsis, our main character is Yuuki Wakura, a listless man ... searching for an occupation. The world he lives is not too dissimilar to our own, except females have obtained magical abilities. The abilities are a side effect of an existing alternate dimension, the Mato dimension, from which monsters will periodically cross over to attack the human realm or bring humans back into. Since women are the only ones able to wield magic, the defense of the human dimension falls on them, making the Anti-Demon Corps.

In the first episode, we're shown that Yuuki's sister Aoba has disappeared prior to the events of the series, but we don’t know what happened exactly. This prompts Yuuki to want to become hero, so others don't suffer his sister's fate. This is somewhat of a weak motivation for his proclaimed desire to become a hero in my opinion, but it's not so incredibly far fetched either. Regardless it’s this reasoning he chooses to become a "slave" to the commander Kyouka of the Anti-Demon Corps, when he’s unexpectedly transported through a gate to the Mato dimension. It's his agreeance to becoming Kyouka's slave that he is able to acquire power from her ability of the same name and escape the ambush of monsters he was transported into. I don’t want to go into a full synopsis, but characters, setting, and story all crank into high gear for the rest of the series.

To start, Yuuki is just great. He's not so much of a bada$$ that it feels unrealistic or unachievable, but also not so much of a wimp you lose all respect (looking at you Takemichi - Tokyo Revengers). He has a story I can generally vibe with and had no problems following him for the story. I also appreciate his actions and motivations, and seeing how he grows throughout the series. His character is just done incredibly well in my opinion. They fleshed it out to a significant degree from the start, but also left room for him to grow.

This leads me to the women of division 6 and 7. The show definitely provides an impression that men are not taken too seriously because of their lack of powers. This is conveyed incredibly well though, because of the obvious lunacy of this worlds setting. The girls all respond to Yuuki’s presence in a variety of ways, whether it be through indifference, concern, friendship, teasing, or attempted bonding. Each interaction had its own unique feel to it as well. Kyouka clearly does not warm up to Yuuki immediately, but slowly starts to depend on him as the show progresses and even starts to get jealous at points. I loved seeing her subtle vulnerabilities being shown sporadically throughout the series, especially given her tough facade. Similar to Kyouka, Himari is cold to Yuuki from the get go…I’m not sure her reasoning aside from maybe seeing him as a distraction from her goal to become stronger. Regardless, when she is given the opportunity to duel her sister, she is somewhat forced to interact/train with him. These episodes with Himari are perfection imo. Not only are we treated to both lewd and hilarious occurrences, but we see growth from an initially unlikeable character and a bond between these two that I considered incredibly heartwarming. Shushu’s character was surprisingly quaint as well, which becomes a theme. She starts off quirky, aloof, and somewhat perplexing, but as she gets to understand Yuuki she realizes the importance of love and just men in general. She’s no longer careless and misdirected by the end of the series. To me, Shushu showed the largest amount of growth of all the characters. Each interaction Yuuki has with his fellow female “military” members is so quaint and bring an unexpectedly welcome amount of both comedy and ecchi.

Speaking of comedy and ecchi, I loved how they were incorporated into the series. To me, as an ecchi fan, I was happy to see the amount of degeneracy shown, and it’s done in an interesting way with levity. It also enables a lot of the comedy to occur, which was effective here. The fact it was fully uncensored gives it major bonus points as well. As degenerate as it was though, it still left room for a great story and set of characters. To be honest, I wouldn't consider myself one to like the idea of becoming subservient to anyone, however, Chained Soldier really makes it seem more appealing XD. It's not one sided either, everything seems to have a fair trade off. For example, Yuuki receives rewards for being a 'slave" to Kyouka, in which she has no control over his subconscious desires (but agrees to for the overwhelming power he provides).

The abilities shown are all unique and intriguing. I consistently looked forward to seeing the next revealed abilities of any new character. The cg animation definitely left a lot to be desired but were done well for the most part, it's not particularly jarring. What really resonated with me was the relationships built. The dynamic of characters toward the end of the series was really great to watch and I personally couldn't wait for more.

In reference to Yuuki’s sister Aoba, it’s, in my opinion, here where the story gains depth. Up to her introduction at the start, this series is just a well directed ecchi in a complicated setting. The revelation about her disappearance adds a complex dilemma I personally would’ve had trouble resolving. Seeing Yuuki and her life together before her disappearance was great and made the situation Yuuki is in, in episode 1, bittersweet.

To end, when you watch Chained Soldier, you know what you're getting into within a few minutes. In my opinion, this is not a series looking for deep introspection or philosophical discussions. Its only intent is to entertain (whether it be via comedy, ecchi, romance, or action). I've read through several reviews for Chained Soldier. Some of the negative ones have comments saying this series has things like slavery, sexism, attempted grape, SA, physical abuse, blackmail…and more buzz words to try and indicate how vile this series is. Over sensitive individuals like this are why we can't have nice things in the west, and why I rely on Japan so heavily now. Most of the events in the series are literally there for ecchi and/or comedic purposes. I’ll admit,this is definitely not a show for everyone. There is wonky cg animation at times, characters could stand to have more individuality, there could be a stronger plot, more drama/depth, and a variety of other small gripes. If you start watching it while comprehending the intent, however, it’s a very enjoyable experience for its short 12 episodes…so much so that I binged it in one evening. Chained Soldier is obviously no icon of modern anime, but it does its job better than most others in the same genre. I highly recommend Chained Soldier and hope to see more series like this in the future, along with a season 2.

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Feb 1, 2024

Shingeki no Kyojin: The Final Season - Kanketsu-hen (Anime) add

Recommended

Hooter’s company slogan is “Delightfully tacky, yet unrefined”. No better words could be used to describe these final two extended episodes. There is a lot to love here with excitement and intrigue, but it just barely misses the mark on a “perfect ending”. Regardless of the divisive takes on this season in particular, I believe it’s safe to say AOT will hold a special place in anime history regardless of how the ending is perceived. This is especially true for myself. I wouldn’t say I’m the biggest fan by any means, End of Evangelion or bust, but I definitely hold AOT dear to my heart. ... That said, I’m conflicted about The ‘actual’ Final Chapters.

When the final season part 2 released, it was by far one of the best seasons in anime period (this is my personal opinion). The lore intrigued me, Ymir Fritz’s backstory enthralled me, the story surprised/shocked me, and the characters, along with their actions, captivated me. With every unexpected action there was an equivalently unexpected reaction, keeping me on my toes for the entirety. It didn’t seem like there was any down time, and each moment held so much weight. I won’t go through any specifics, but I felt the intensity of each moment, to which I value immensely.

I suppose I could see why others wouldn’t feel so positive though, especially if the lore of the Eldian/Marley didn’t grab you. This leads me to this “season”, for which I’m frankly at a loss for words (in a metaphorical sense…). I definitely connected with everything going on. I could still feel the weight of each decision made and the impact of the events on the characters, but there was a sense of wanting. What I wanted however, I’m not sure of.

Ultimately, I am okay with how it ended. Normally I like happy endings, but endings that leave more to be desired are equivalently valuable in my eyes. Personally, spoilers ahead, I would’ve liked to have seen Mikasa’s story resolved better….and yet I think what we received from her was truly beautiful. Same for Eren…What he did is definitely NOT a good thing….and yet I wanted something better for him still. There is certainly an internal conflict in regards to my viewing, even though I massively enjoyed what I saw.

My most obvious qualm was how vapid the story felt this time around, compared to part 2. There seemed like there was a lack of buildup, which could be attributed to it being only 2 episodes. But I believe the pacing just differed from what I am used to with AOT in general. This is certainly a packed ending both in action and emotion though…it just lacks the time to ruminate. I believe, had the Final Chapters been extended, I would’ve connected differently. This is not to say I didn’t connect, but it just seemed like odd pacing at times, without the sense of urgency stories like this require.

I definitely resonated with everything, but continually felt disconnected in some way. I’m retroactively appreciating the series more as I type though. To be honest, executing a universally accepted ending with how beloved this series is seems like impossibility. So with that in mind, I believe it couldn’t have finished stronger.

The story that needed to be told, was told…and well at that (imo). But ultimately it didn’t grab me the same way as the previous season. The tension wasn’t quite as palpable, but I appreciated it none the less. It’s almost perfect, but this sense of uncertainty I’m feeling has me keeping the score below a 10. Beautifully done but not obviously flawless. Definitely worth your time to watch, if not just to see how it all concludes.

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Sep 6, 2023

Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi (Anime) add

Recommended

I’ve always heard that Ghibli films are magical to watch and stand tall against other similar animated movies. Though the film has a gorgeous animation style, I never fully appreciated just what Spirited Away had to offer aesthetically until I watched it for myself. Online, I am constantly seeing recommended anime, with Studio Ghibli films somewhere on the list, along with One Piece (which I don’t think I’ll ever tackle that beast). I’m kicking myself for not taking these recommendations to heart, since, frankly, I loved this film and wish I hadn’t slept on it for so long.

A brief synopsis: The movie begins with the ... protagonist Chihiro (or Sin) and her family moving to a new home. Our first interaction is Chihiro complaining at her parents about the move…pouting, like most kids her age would. The family nearly reaches their new home but have taken a wrong turn and come up on a temple instead. The family explores the temple, which is practically a gateway into the spirit realm. Once they reach the other side a series of events leads to Chihiro’s parents morphing into pigs, leaving Chihiro alone in this new realm. Along the way she meets a variety of spirits, some friend and some foe, with her main objective to turn her parents human again.

On the surface my synopsis hardly sounds “magical”, as I’ve often heard Spirited Away described, and yet, after watching, “magical” is the only word I’d use to describe it…if I were limited to one word.

Our protagonist Chihiro, or Sin as I’ll call her for brevity’s sake, is not particularly individualistic. She doesn’t “rock the boat” in any significant way, doesn’t have any particular talents, and isn’t a very outgoing individual. Honestly it’s the side characters that really steal the show in terms of moving the story forward. That said, Sin’s character is perfect for this story, where she’s not so mundane to be a self insert character, but is also not so colorful as to take away from the wonderfully established world and side characters. I truly believe her character could have, potentially, ruined this lovely tale, had she been even a smidge different. A smidge more whiney, bold, scared, inactive… would’ve have thrown the pace off dramatically. But that’s not how it went! I adamantly enjoyed Sin’s character and grew to respect her actions, will power, and convictions so much by the end, that I even thought on many occasions throughout the film just how perfectly she responds to each situation in a seemingly accidental fashion. She really does make this movie in the most subtle of ways.

Onto the setting. I now realize why so many websites and art shows are able to sell individual pieces from Ghibli films. I always appreciated what I saw and it always invoked a certain feeling, but once context is given, each scene holds so much more depth and description. The world of Spirited Away is a character in itself.

Speaking of…Characters from this world are not simply fantastic, they feel human (regardless of how otherworldly they look). Each spirit was created with such care, even down to the frog. It’s not just their designs, although that is a large part. It’s the way they mold into their surroundings. Each character enables the movie’s story so significantly, whether they comfortably move it forward like a flowing river current, or abruptly crash it like ocean waves on a cliff side…both equally beautiful to behold.

Each element comes together so well in creating a genuine masterpiece in film. I always say I’ll never ignore a recommendation from the anime veterans and yet I slept on this so long. If you’re like me, sleeping on a potential experience, wake up and watch it asap. I believe this story to be one worth telling. One that everyone should take part in.

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Jul 23, 2023

Yosuga no Sora (Anime) add

Recommended

Spoiler

This was such an unexpectedly beautiful series. Though the premise is that of your typical harem, it’s anything but. I went into this assuming it was a typical harem comedy ecchi hybrid but was pleasantly surprised at how the series captured me. It’s not necessarily one I’d recommend though, unless you’re fairly open minded…and let’s face it, if you’ve see H, you probably are (or at least have seen it before).

First things first, I’d like to get the ecchi aspect out of the way. I know typical lewd content generally lacks any sort of depth, however Yosuga No Sora bucks this trend. Yes, ecchi ... is present, and it’s fairly high quality at that for the age of the series, but somehow it doesn’t take away from the story elements and character development.

What does take away from the character development is the multiple storylines with each of the love interests. This makes sense for a light novel, branching pathways is the bread and butter, but with a 12 episode series it inhibits a little of the character development since that character development hinges on the main character enacting the character development. So for each branching path, a character’s story is left unresolved and is ultimately left up to the viewers imagination. This is done okay, but more concrete elements would have been welcome.

Onto the characters. Yosuga No Sora’s characters aren’t given much time for development, the series is only 12 eps, and yet it seems like I got to know each of them perfectly. More time with a character doesn’t translate to better development. The writers really did well defining each characters traits and personality. Again though, the branching arcs do cause this to suffer.

The setting and music are just beautiful. I really don’t have much to say here, but the gentle sunset, looming clouds, and quiet village really help give Yosuga no Sora a perfect feel that couldn’t have been done in another way, in my opinion. Then you add in serene classical music both optimistic and disheartening…it blends so well. Though what happens on screen can seem tragic, the looming piano with a quiet countryside backdrop makes it seem like it will turn out okay, albeit an unconventional “okay”.

I won’t speak much to the themes of the last 3 episodes aside from just how well the topic of morality is handled. Spoilers from here on out. For the final arc, Haru struggles with his romantic vs familial love for Sora his twin sister. I’ve often wondered where my boundaries lie with this particular subject, since I’m confronted with it way more since I’ve started watching anime. To be honest, I’m no closer to finding an answer…..which feels similar to Yorahime and Kuranaga’s discussion at the very end.

Kuranaga says something that stuck with me: “If you could just act on your feelings, then there were lots of things I would have done.” So is she saying she should’ve acted without concern for society, or is she saying if society acts on feelings alone do we even have a society or moral standard. It’s a question that has room for debate in my opinion.

The fact that this is a harem, albeit unconventional, and the MC actually gets laid is a major plus for me. No straight man in existence withdraws from a beautiful girl throwing herself at him. The fact that most harem MC’s never get any is so unrealistic and incredibly infuriating for me to see (Rent a GF, Smart Phone, Date A Live), and is all the more reason why shows that do it right, like Yosuga No Sora, are all the more appreciated (See: Fate Heavens Feel, Peter Grill, Engage Kiss, Arifureta).

Ultimately, I thought this was a beautiful series with relatable characters, and a clearly defined theme. Obviously there is a heavily taboo subject matter but it’s done “tastefully”…at least to a degree. Honestly, you could watch up to ep 6 and avoid it altogether. Honestly, as much as I appreciated the ecchi and taboo elements, I fear it may turn some people off, or make them not take it serious. If there’s one point I can leave you with, is that this IS a series with depth and soul. This will be an odd sentence, but this ecchi harem, pseudo H, had more depth than some of the PG love stories I’ve seen in recent years. I highly recommend Yosuga No Sora to anyone willing to look past the genre tags.

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May 9, 2023

Engage Kiss (Anime) add

Recommended

Spoiler

Engage Kiss

This was a tough one to rate. You have shows like Evangelion, Death Note, and Fruits Basket, that are not just genre defining, but also (mostly) devoid of imperfections. Then you have shows like Golden Boy or Nichijou that aren’t meeting the same standards, but are equally special (to me) in their own way. Engage Kiss fits in MyAnimeList awkwardly. It’s not as legendary as Evangelion, as funny as Nichijou, or as emotionally resonating as Fruits Basket, but it ticks a lot of boxes for what I like to see in an anime. Perhaps it’s my fault for getting too invested in anime always, ... thus my 1-5 ratings significantly pale in comparison to all the shows I’ve rated 6-10. Still…Engage Kiss resonated with me. The question is why?

From the other reviews I’ve read, it seems several reviewers thought Engage Kiss to be shallow, lacking direction, and bereft of any true impact. I won’t argue any of that, and I wouldn’t feel the need to persuade anyone otherwise. For me though, I found the series thought provoking, degenerate in a good way, humorous to the degree that it was “cute”, and pretty well animated…if you’re not comparing it to AOT, Demon Slayer, Fate, etc.

First and foremost, Engage Kiss has its flaws. Story is difficult to follow and felt rushed. It could’ve been more degenerate, funny, and deep. Character arcs could’ve been done better. This is all true, however I left this series appreciating what it did have to offer.

As a brief overview, and feel free to skip this paragraph if you’ve seen the series, Shuu is our main character living in an isolated city experiencing intermittent demon attacks. Driven by his desire to discover what happened to his family, he makes a contract with a demon (Kisara) in order to fight his way to the truth. Unfortunately this contract comes with great loss…his memories. This not only effects him, but his loved ones as well. The 13 episodes explore this journey he takes with friends, lovers, and some unexpected enemies.

The series never actually gets too convoluted or in the weeds. There were times I was a little confused, specifically when a specific character was referenced, but, aside from that, it’s pretty easy to follow. The story itself I enjoyed though. The concept of a human making a deal with the devil is well ingrained in history, and is executed so well here. I personally don’t think Shuu is a particularly likable main character, however I often found myself sympathizing with his situation, thus I see his presence as positive overall. I’d be miserable if I lost all the memories I held most dear of the people I cherished most. The memory loss element really resonated with me.

This leads to the characters. I really liked everyone involved and felt they had impact. I usually prefer more character growth but there was enough for me to be satisfied. And though Shuu is very flawed, his interactions felt natural and understandable. Kisara, the demon with whom Shuu made a contract, is my personal favorite. She has immense character growth amidst a sea of flawed individuals. She does have bad taste in men though, but what would you expect from a demon? This applies to all of Shuu’s love interests though, not sure what they see in him.

The world building is also done well. I seemed to have a good grasp on the city’s lay out, often remembering locations characters had previously visited. Demon activity and destruction held weight, with characters often referencing the economic effect of a particular battle. The city’s leadership is very present as well, giving good context as to the hierarchy of how things work. There are additionally a lot of allegories to the real world, with references to escalating technology, world politics, and even a reference to Amazon Prime. It’s a small but welcome element that helps the viewer gain more clarity on what life in this fictional world is like.

This isn’t as lewd of a show as I had initially assumed, yet it still has a bit of degeneracy sprinkled in. To be honest, I was just grateful to see the characters actually kiss and hook up regardless of the motivations…Not sure why anime is always toned down in this regard but it was refreshing and made the relationships feel more realistic. Shows that have multiple seasons before the main characters even kiss irritate me (*cough* Rent-a-Girlfriend).

Music and SFX are done well…that’s it on that front.

The conclusion of the series was perfect imo. There are a lot of unanswered questions and brief explanations, but aside from making the series longer, I’m not sure how they could’ve resolved it any better. The story involving the sister was heartwarming and the dynamic of all the characters by the end was nice to see. I really appreciate the individuality shown in each of Shuu’s love interests. Some could’ve been expanded on, but I really enjoyed each one in their own way. They all felt profound, with some feeling slightly vapid, like with the nun (which I believe was intentional).

I know, I know. How could anyone find deep meaning in a show named Engage Kiss. With titans like Evangelion, Death Note, Demon Slayer, JoJo’s, Violet Evergarden, and too many others to name off here, why would I rate this series so high? It’s simple, I really enjoyed what this series brought to the table. I loved the design and theme. I appreciated the demonic contract element that harkens back to stories in various culture’s mythology. I loved the characters, their resolutions, and their hidden (but realistic) natures. I enjoyed the series upfront approach to both relationships and missteps in said relationships. I appreciated the fact that the relationships extended beyond flirting for 50 episodes. Lastly, I particularly loved how the series concluded. My valuation may come across as flawed, but ultimately I had a great time with this series and foresee I’ll be rewatching it again in the near future.

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Apr 16, 2023

Suzume no Tojimari (Anime) add

Recommended

Suzume is everything you’d come to expect from Makoto Shinkai. To be brief, if you liked Your Name and Weathering with You, you probably will enjoy Suzume. There is an obvious blue print he likes to follow, which can be especially good if you’re experiencing it for the first time, but may, or may not, grow repetitive by the third one you see. Personally, I enjoyed Suzume greatly, but there were just some predictable elements and loosely built character arcs that didn’t quite resonate with me, like they did with Shinkai’s other films.

One advantage that Suzume has over Your Name and Weathering with You, ... is it’s world building. The movie wasted no time in establishing the world and it’s lore. As a rough overview, this is a story about Suzume as she’s thrust into the world of a Closer, an individual who assists in closing gates that connect to the “afterlife”. Suzume meets a young man on her way to school who mentions he’s looking for a ruin, and a door (the gate). She points him in the direction of an abandoned town and continues on her way, but is unable to shake the feeling she knows the man and knows what door he might be looking for. Inevitably her curiosity gets the better of her and she goes on a journey to uncover the truth of what’s going on.

I really liked this storyline. It’s more lore heavy than anything else I’ve seen from Shinkai and is undoubtedly a feat to watch, particularly in theaters. The visuals and sound are just impressive, and the world design are equivalent to that of Your Name and Weathering with You. Speaking of Your Name and Weathering with You, it’s difficult to separate the art from the artist when there’s a general format Shinkai apparently likes to stick to, so I apologize ahead of time for my inevitable comparisons to his previous work.

To be honest, Suzume is like Pepsi, and Your Name and Weathering with you are like Pepsi Cherry or Lemon. What I mean by this is, Suzume is definitely a Shinkai film, but for some reason was missing something his other films had. I am obsessed with Your Name and struggled to keep it together when watching it. It was similar for Weathering with You. The characters felt so profound and real. With how they’re introduced, I couldn’t help but empathize with them. There was a mystery behind each one and I couldn’t wait to see it unfold in a surreal and beautiful way. I would be on the edge of my seat waiting to see just how the ending would resolve itself, and to see if anything would be lost in the timeline of the film. Suzume’s main characters, for some reason, didn’t grab me in the same way. I still enjoyed their presence, but I felt everything else had more depth and entertainment value. I will say, the interactions between Suzume and the man she interacts with at the beginning were sweet though, and I do still like them as characters, just would’ve liked to have seen more.

All the side charcters were spectacular though. She lives with her Aunt at the start of the film, whom I had relegated to just a background character and a way to fill down time at the start. But the aunt inserts herself in a pretty meaningful way and ends up creating what I found to be one of the most interesting points in the film. Same goes for people Suzume meets along her journey and makes friends with. All were unique and were a pleasure to see. Lastly, there are two cats she comes across that also help move the story forward, and they ended up my favorite characters overall. One is maniacal and chaotic, but has good motivations ultimately. The other is quiet and assertive, carrying an err of mystery and a strong presence (but unfortunately doesn’t get much screen time).

I will say that Suzume is slightly more positive than the other two films I mentioned. Typically, there is a happy overall message, but something is lost along the way, like time. This isn’t the case for Suzume though, it’s generally a stress free watch. Yes at times I had concern for the main characters but since I didn’t connect with their back stories as well, it ultimately felt shallow. It’s very hard for me to say that though, because I really loved Your Name and Weathering with You. I can’t really put my finger on what exactly was missing between Suzume and the other two films though. It’s a great movie, just didn’t quite meet the same level. It’s possible I may just be overly familiar with the premise, and it felt repetitive maybe? I imagine someone coming into this blindly will have a significantly different viewing, but in a good way.

Ultimately I enjoyed Suzume, it didn’t necessarily have me on the edge of my seat, BUT it was a spectacle to watch. I loved the side characters, and enjoyed the main characters enough. It was a sweet film overall, with mystery and some really unique action elements. There was a meteor moment (Your Name), or a water whale moment (Weathering with You), and it was exciting to see! The cat’s dark presence throughout the film gave something unique as well. I really did like Suzume, but just might be a victim of my own expectations.

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Dec 8, 2022

Chainsaw Man (Anime) add

Recommended

Preliminary (9/12 eps)

This may be preliminary, but that doesn’t matter. Just one or two episodes of Chainsaw Man was all I needed to make up my mind. I haven't read the manga, but I have a much better understanding why people would always recommend it. This series has fundamentally shifted my concept of what a perfect anime can be. Regardless of whether it pertains to story, art, music, characters….its all done with such care and what led me to write this review.

In order to avoid spoilers, I'll try and stay away from discussing this series’ plot. I’ll instead just give as broad of responses as I ... can. As of writing this, I’ve watched up to ep 9, and, to be honest, Chainsaw Man could have a Game of Thrones season 8 ending (aka terrible), and would still rival the greats foundationally like Death Note or Evangelion….although that comparison seems a little unfair since they each have their own unique qualities and are 10's in their own way.

Chainsaw Man on the surface feels simplistic, but that's not to say it lacks depth or substance. The plot is incredibly enthralling and pulls you in before you even realize that you're unfortunately at the end of the episode. Every element is so expertly crafted, I’m curious what effect it will have on me and the anime I watch in the future. Even parts that seem a little "fan servicey", feel important. Not that I mind the fan service, I just never thought feeling up a girl would hold such emotional context and weight with the protagonist.

There's something here I've rarely experienced in other anime, and yet I can't fully pinpoint what it's doing differently. It's not the first to move me emotionally or even create a new concept. To be honest, the devil's in this series are even similar to that of Demon Slayer, so it's not necessarily that either. In my opinion, Chainsaw Man's characters as a whole seem to be what really push the story forward, so I suppose it's best to look at the protagonist first.

Denji, aka Chainsaw Man, is living in less than ideal circumstances however he remains complacent, only wanting for the bare necessities. Jam on his bread is seen as a luxury! He's just a simple man that lives a life of poverty, in a dilapidated home, under borderline hellish circumstances… long story short, there’s nothing good going for him. That doesn’t seem to phase him though, quite the contrary actually. Denji may just be the most hopeful and optimistic characters I’ve ever seen, which is surprising considering his living situation and circumstances. His surface level layers run surprisingly deep that you just root for him as you learn more.. and that’s actually part of what subtly draws you in! It's his perseverance that made me sympathetic. Denji is far from being the only one like this in the series though. All of the characters are dynamic in their own way, even in silence or with subtle nuances. The way in which each individual evolves in relation to their surroundings and peers feels so natural. I found myself caring for characters that I had distaste for in previous episodes. Each character presented brings a uniquely diverse element that only a show like this could house. It's the characters presented that help guide the show both on and off screen. This is particularly true for Makima, another main character introduced in the first episode. Her interactions with Denji are some of the most heartwarming scenes in the series, and I really appreciate her unique design. Regardless of her or Denji, my point is every character has almost equivalent value to each other and are primarily the best of what Chainsaw Man has to offer. Almost like a tower of cards, each card plays it role in supporting the tower as a whole.

Now... onto the setting. For this I'm thinking the best way to convey what the series setting is like is to give a comparison to a series most people have seen, such as Demon Slayer. I mention this solely for comparison sake and not to say Chainsaw Man lacks originality or is a copy of Demon Slayer. Moving on, the lore of the Devil ridden society is what sets the story of Chainsaw Man in motion. This is similar to the presence of demons in Demon Slayer. In season 2, the demon Daki and her brother were, in my opinion, what made the Red Light District arc so great. Daki in particular is methodical, intentional, and above all else intimidating, and this is where the Devils in Chainsaw come in. They are similar in presentation, and vary individually like the demons. Some are unintelligent and lack patience, while other are willing to help or make deals, or in the worst cases are just pure evil. The additional element of human/devil interaction, or even cooperation, is a welcome change in this formula of light vs dark. Chainsaw Man is initially more whimsical than very serious Demon Slayer, but there are scenes that hold incredible weight and context as the series moves forward....it's most certainly not a comedy and is almost more tragic in how characters respond to certain situations. The world of Chainsaw Man itself seems to be intentionally bleak with bright patches of dialogue that come from the characters, but without that dark intensity, this series wouldn't feel as exciting to watch.

Certain characters also have devil powers, which ends up being the most unique thing about their extensively thorough designs. I love how the powers are integrated into any battle, with some creating massive visually appealing spectacles, you can't help but just sit in awe. Though the series is action packed, I feel describing it as such could potentially give off a different vibe. It’s never just about one thing, which again makes it feel nuanced. Every main friend, devil, or villain plays such a important role in terms of both character design and plot, that combat takes the passenger seat, for me at least. Every episode peels a layer that shines brightly on everyone and everything involved. It brings you up and pulls you down thematically, keeping you on the edge of your seat wondering what’s next.

I could rant forever about this, but it’s more important everyone interested watch this for themselves. The levels of insanity fluctuate, where in one moment a simple occurrence can evolve into the most absurd situation. Chainsaw man is a must watch for a variety of reasons. I have loved every second, literally, and it will be more than likely my top anime of 2022, and gives classics like Death Note and Eva a run for their money.

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Nov 28, 2022

Leadale no Daichi nite (Anime) add

Not Recommended

Spoiler

Land of leadale

Initially this show grabbed my interest. I’m a sucker for isekais that inhabit some form of originality. In the Land of Leadale starts out as a unique power fantasy for a gamer girl that suddenly gets transported inside her favorite game. What follows is a series of events that can be described as both entertaining and annoyingly repetitive.

As I mentioned earlier, there is a hint of originality here. One being that the protagonist is a mother of three adopted children (from an in game event from her world). Now you’d assume once she recalls that she is a mother that above all ... else, she would want to reunite with them asap. This is not the case however. It honestly seems she has no clear objective other than to get wasted and explore. Once that becomes clear, the show devolves into a confusing and unfunny mess.

I would like to really hit home how flat Leadale’s jokes are. The protagonist is inherently boring and seems to be the most narcissistic of protagonists I’ve seen in awhile. This is where the “jokes” come in. The creators seem to think people like watching, what I would describe as, an ill tempered single mother do whatever she feels like doing with no repercussions. This is clear with the lack of urgency in seeing her own kids, and instead chasing thrills around town or participating in random events.

Another key characteristic of the lead is her mandatory freak out session per episode. It seems every member of her family has received her wrath for such minor offenses, and this makes up about 20% of the overall interactions. In one episode her son hears she has fallen I’ll, so he rushed to her side only to get punched into the ceiling. Another is when her son and daughter are arguing and use magic to fight with one another. This leads to her threatening them with her immense and unoriginal abilities. Oh the protagonist is the most powerful person anyone’s ever seen?! Wow that’s never occurred in literally every isekai ever.

Sure enough, the next episode has the lead…once again…getting mad and oozing her overwhelming power because her daughter never told her that she had a grandchild. On top of this, her grandson has the nerve to offer her a nicer place to stay and ends up insulting…INNS!! How dare he insult inns! First time meeting her lineage and just gets mad. This is the shows attempt at humor and it just fails.

The protagonist here is one of the worst I’ve seen in awhile. Shes eerily similar to the “300 years killing slimes” girl…equally as powerful after being isekai’d to a new world to participate in a slice of life “comedy”. At least in Leadale there is an active male population, unlike the 300 years slums, but they are made to look like weak jokes, so it’s almost like they only exist to be mocked. The Jain character has no personality and is incredibly fickle/bipolar. One moment she’s kind, then the next behaves like a spoiled gangster child, threatening anyone that says or does even the slightest wrong thing in her eyes.

I dropped this series and suggest you never start. It’s incredibly frustrating and boring, as well as unoriginal. Yes the main character starts out pleasant and the world is somewhat of a mystery with certain revelations. Ultimately however, it becomes a 3 episode concept stretched and repeated to make 12 episodes. Some characters are interesting but the protagonist is so lame and annoying, she brings down the potential for anyone in her vicinity. Now, as I mentioned earlier, there is some intrigue in the pilot, but trust that it only goes down from there. This was a lazy mess of a show with little thought put into the genre it is categorized in (comedy/slice of life), so it’s an easy “Do Not Recommend” from me.

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Oct 19, 2022

Takt Op. Destiny (Anime) add

Recommended

Though Takt Op Destiny isn’t breaking the mold in originality, it’s more than making up for it in substance. For me, it speaks to how a concept can grow as you watch it. To be honest, I wasn’t a fan initially, which appears to be a common sentiment many other preliminary writers among the reviews share. I’m not sure if the slow upstart and the brisk dialogue really turned people off, but I enjoyed it enough to at least see it through….and am so glad I did. Many other series follow a similar blueprint, Fate Last Encore comes to mind, and seemingly start out just ... as slow and methodical. Same could be said for other similar action series, like Vivy, Guilty Crown, Code Geass, etc. I wouldn’t be surprised if the animators or creators also worked on the aforementioned series somehow. Ultimately its story unfolds in a similar way, but aside from that, Takt Op is pretty unique and felt emotional all the way through, while keeping the action refreshingly fun. There aren’t any list toppers for best fight scenes in my opinion, and yet I was fully engaged every encounter.

What made the series emotional was its musical element. Series like Kono Oto Tomare and Your Lie In April hit these emotional notes with the concept of music flawlessly! With a short amount of time to tell the story, Takt Op was able to pull me in to each character from the first episode. Destiny may be an exception, however, that changes as the series evolves. Takt is a similar story, hardly lovable from the get go. Both are characters you have to get to know and warm up to, but it’s worth it by the end. Some dialogue may seem unnecessary or overkill, yet they establish themselves well.

Another great aspect of the series is the art and design, it’s an easy 10 for me. The environment, which is set in the one and only USA, is familiar while feeling otherwordly. The characters designs couldn’t have been done better either. Each music art, beings like Destiny that protect humanity against the aliens, is an individual in the truest sense. There isn’t one art that is identical to another. Each has her own sound, design, personality, and themed piece of music. This makes for enjoyable battles and conversations, and unique approaches to their relationships with their maestros.

Lastly, the dedication to telling a particular story is admirable, rather than a jambalaya of multiple themes. In my opinion, it was a bold approach to not try and appeal to the broader audience. the story is as if Your Lie in April and fate Last encore merged, making a thoughtful appeal to music and action lovers alike. The surface level animosity generates a larger feeling of comfortability when characters do come together and agree. The villains even have some likable traits. I enjoyed the story personally, it just took a bit to heat up.

Ultimately I get why someone may not like Takt Op Destiny. If shows like Fate or Guilty Crown aren’t your thing then this probably won’t be either. It’s very methodical, not constant action or romance. The dynamic among each character is great, and the designs are what set everyone apart. The story is told well and made me feel emotional at times. Once it had its hooks in me I couldn’t break free. If you can get through the first few episodes of story building, the pace of the storytelling speeds up greatly. There is a lot done in little time, and I’m grateful to have the experience.

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Sep 14, 2022

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (Anime) add

Recommended

Spoiler

The best way to describe Cyberpunk Edgerunners: Fast music, bright colors, and gory insanity. This is only surface level though. This series packs a punch in visual, sound, and story. Even in its down times, it successfully captures your attention while giving you a sense of unease (but in a good way). The chaotic nature of the series does pace that of the game, however it’s done so beautifully and connects you to the characters in a way only an anime could.

Trigger is known for their great shows; Kill la Kill, Kiznaiver, and Darling in the Franxx…just to name a few. Still, Edgerunners pulls ... ahead as one of if not the best in a way that’s familiar yet refreshing. And before you protest, I only mean to say Edgerunners takes many things the studio did best in previous series and builds upon it. They have a formula, and it’s clearly working for them. It’s obvious the creators really wanted this to have a signature feel, however it was unexpectedly emotional and profoundly encapsulating for the high wire action it sports on the surface (which only shows like Kiznaiver really can really be compared…and maybe Darling in the Franxx). Though not super deep, it’s not necessarily a thinker, it’s clear the story is anything but singularly focused.

I want to get this out of the way. This show is just fun to watch. Explosions, immorality, sex, drugs, murder, gore…you name it, this series’ got it. Of course, this is not necessarily a selling point…actually…it is a selling point! It’s just plain fun to watch and the degeneracy only improves our understanding of the environment people in Night City grow up in. With more understanding of the environment comes a better understanding of the characters and their actions as well. Long story short, it’s at minimum a bloody disgusting good time.

What further improves upon the overall viewing quality are the visuals and the music. They’re ultimately what sell the chaos Edgerunners brings, with the music being something akin to Grindhouse:Planet Terror’s, and the visuals like something from the Beetles Yellow Submarine meets Kill la Kill. I honestly think the best way to know if this series is for you is to watch up to episode 4. It’s where a single 10 seconds gets drawn out with industrial dubstep overlaying the slow motion massacre on screen. This scene stressed my wife out, but I f’ing loved it…thus it separates the weak from the chaff pretty early on. Some of the scenes are what nightmare fuel is made of and yet the music simply makes it not only digestible but truly a feat to behold. Let no one say they don’t bring their A game in the sound and visual department. Many other factors help make this anime great though.

First and foremost, my favorite aspect to the series was the dynamic between David, our main character, and Lucy. Both have a great design and great VA’s that brought their personalities to life, referring to the dub for my viewing. These two have a similar romance to that of Katsuhira and Noriko from Kiznaiver, or even Hiro and Zero Two. Strong female characters that are a little unhinged are my kryptonite, thus my affinity toward Zero Two, Noriko, and Lucy is expected. What some may find a little hard to connect with may be the abrupt nature in which the couples find each other. In all three you could say the relationship almost seems forced, where Hiro’s first encounter with Zero Two is her bathing naked (who wouldn’t think that’s love at first sight), and, for Katsuhira, Noriko is the first person to understand and challenge him since he’s lost his memories. Although David and Lucy meet in a similarly vapid and unnatural manner, what ultimately makes theirs, and the the other two couple’s, relationship significant is how they function together. It’s not how you meet that matters, even though it makes for better storytelling. It’s how that bond forms and what dynamic comes of it. That’s what I think anyway. David and Lucy really have a bond that just happens but feels real, and is done so well.

It’s not just David/Lucy that fill this world with personality though. Many characters and even the environment make it whole. I loved seeing who, what, and where the next part of the plot brought me. If a city could be a character it would most certainly be one in Cyberpunk. This dystopian future is not one to look forward to, however it is endlessly entertaining to watch. As for the side characters like David’s mom Gloria, Maine (the gangs boss), Rebecca (one of my personal favorite characters), and Faraday, they all are individuals in the truest sense and bring both unending chaos and boundless emotion to every line. Again the English VA’s did extremely well in this regard.

I don’t want to spoil the end but a series like this can only end one way. With so much death and destruction throughout the series, no one is safe even if you’d like them to be. Also this is Trigger so an emotional ending isn’t out of the ordinary. Main characters deaths happen so abruptly and we aren’t even given time to reflect on anyones passing. When someone dies, you still feel their absence but it doesn’t halt the story. Characters don’t have time to weep for those they have lost. It’s strange and yet completely fits this narrative, and ultimately describes how society is as a whole…in the series and IRL. This series isn’t just about the players, but the game itself. I do like that Lucy does have her wish come true, and I especially appreciate that David was the one to do it for her. It’s true what they say in the show, he really didn’t seem to have dreams for himself, and it was very touching to see that he made her dream his, and went full force to make it happen. It’s an unexpected and heart wrenching aspect to an already strong dynamic.

This is all a very roundabout way for me to say Cyberpunk Edgerunners isn’t by any means as surface level chaotic as it seems. There are quite a few Shrek layers here that bring an incredible viewing experience with a touching story and amazing cast. Visuals and sound are just…chefs kiss (OST please). Everything came together so well, I binged it all in one sitting. Sure the ending hit me hard, but I can’t say it should’ve ended differently. We receive signs all throughout the series indicating what will happen, it still hurt to see, and yet I couldn’t be more satisfied. This is one of the best series to come out of 2022, but I don’t think it’s for everybody necessarily. That’s what makes a good anime though!

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